On the Smashing Pumpkins website, there is currently a countdown clock then many expect is leading to an official announcement of a sort-of reunion. I say “sort of” because original bassist D’Arcy Wretzky has been absent from the early photos from this reunion, and has spoken candidly about her frustration in not being a part of it. Now, in a new interview with Blast Echo, D’Arcy speaks further about the circumstances surrounding her exclusion from the reunion.
According to D’Arcy, she was led to believe that other founding member James Iha had very little to do with the recording of new Pumpkins music, and she thought that her exclusion from the recording was a temporary snag until they could figure out how to bring her back. But when she became aware of Iha’s involvement via Instagram, much as the rest of the world did, Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan played damage control, texting her the following:
“As far as you not being involved, there was never any decision to shut you out, or make you not welcome. It’s more about getting on the same page with [the] tour first and then the necessity of the song came up… so focus on [the] tour and I think we can find the right way to have you involved. I know speaking with Jimmy, he wants you involved so that the tour is the best thing we can all give the fans and build for the future.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Be5y562DA8m/
In the interview, D’Arcy also claims that she received an offer to rejoin the band at one point, but the offer was rescinded with Corgan claiming “that wasn’t the real offer.” It’s unclear why Corgan changed his mind, but D’Arcy has voiced her frustration at Iha as well, mad that he would do the reunion without her.
So, as the mysterious clock winds down, maybe we’ll just find out this was all a nightmare and the Smashing Pumpkins will come to their senses and provide the proper reunion that fans want. That’s something worth counting down to.
